She has worked with or is currently developing original international film and TV projects with major streamers, studios and production companies including Apple, A24, Lucky Chap, Netflix, FX and 20th Century. Working across genres, Vanessa often explores identity, family and sexuality in her stories. She created seven-part Netflix USA series ECHOES, starring Michelle Monaghan and Matt Bomer, which was the world’s most watched series for over two weeks when it aired in 2022. ECHOES was showrun by Brian Yorkey and Quinton Peeples.
Vanessa also created EDEN (2021), an eight-part series for Australian streamer Stan. EDEN was sold internationally, streaming on Spectrum (USA), Canal+ and Netflix UK. Nominated for both Australian Director’s Guild and Australian Writers Guild awards, her short films have screened around the world, including at the BFI London Film Festival, Warsaw International Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Palm Springs Shortfest and Fantastic Fest. Her current short film SAINT VALENTINE is screening in competition as one of seven Dendy Award finalists for Best Live Action Australian Short at the Sydney Film Festival. Vanessa grew up in Canberra, where she graduated from high school with Dux of the College. She completed a Bachelor of Arts (Media Communications) at the University of Sydney, majoring in English Literature and Cultural Studies and graduating with Distinction. After living in Paris and London, she came home to Australia to complete her Masters in Writing/Directing at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School in 2014, winning the school’s prestigious Kenneth B. Myer Award for Exceptional Talent upon graduating. She is also a Sundance Short Film Audience Award-winning producer, for Matthew Lessner’s 2014 short film Chapel Perilous. She co-produced Lessner's feature film Automatic at Sea which had its premiere at Slamdance 2017.
